Another mock draft for 2026

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to drop one of these. Will probably do my final mock late Wednesday night or very early Thursday morning. I did this on ESPN Analysts mock draft simulator, and I found that I like this simulator. They graded it to a C or 76/100. I went with what I saw were needs, not what they saw were needs.

Pick 52: Germie Bernard WR Alabama. 6'1 206. I saw him play a couple games last year. He was talked up as a speedster, which I didn't see as I watched. He ran a 4.48 at the Combine. What I saw was a bigger version of Matthew Golden. I know we have needs in other areas, but we don't and haven't had a 1 for a while, and if we're gonna do "#1 by committee" I'd rather have him paired with Golden than Watson who is very injury prone.

Pick 84: Sam Hecht C Kansas. 6'4 303. About the size Corey Linsley was when we drafted him. Admittedly didn't see this kid play, I liked the measurables over Slaughter from Florida. Also Connor Lew was not on the board when this pick was made. I probably still would've taken Hecht as I saw how the Auburn O-Line improved after Lew's injury.

Pick 120: Daylen Everette CB Georgia. 6'1 196. That Georgia defense has been stellar though a small step back last year. This for me is a well coached value pick at a huge need position. As mentioned in my other mock we can't do another KeSean Nixon game. It will collectively wipe out the fanbase like some sort of plague.

Pick 153: Kaleb Elarms-Orr LB TCU. Bigger linebacker then we usually draft at 6'2 234. Transferred from Cal to TCU. Watched film from both. At Cal he had great instincts, tackling was A-. The problem was he was having trouble getting out of traffic to make plays. At TCU they had him play outside and inside. Outside he was great at getting around the corner, pursuit was stellar. Inside he got better getting out of traffic. Tackling downgraded to a B+. I would've loved to have had him under Hafley. I think he needs to re-up tackling and continue working on traffic issues. Solid pick though for this team in the 5th round.

Pick 160: Jeremiah Wright G Auburn. 6'5 331. Tackle sized, but plays inside. I think he COULD be an Elgton Jenkins guy that if Tom goes down he could move outside for a couple games and hold his own, but NOT a long term fit at Tackle. I'm not sure he could play the blind side either. I think he could play all 3 interior line spots long term as well. Road grader as I watched him play for Auburn last year.

Pick 201: Fernando Carmona OL Arkansas. 6'4 315. I'm calling him an OL cause he played Tackle last year but I think he's an interior O-Lineman, probably a Center. He was coached by Sam Pittman which as a HC Sam wasn't great but his background is as an O-Line coach and a very good one. This kid was able to move people and get out onto people when needed. Right now we need interior line guys, and of the 3 I drafted I liked Carmona the best. IMO ESPN has him severely undervalued based on his combine.

Pick 236: Mason Reiger EDGE Wisconsin. 6'4 251. I saw Reiger play against Wisconsin. When you play for a school that gave the NFL Leo Chenal TJ Watt and guys like that at YOUR position you can't disappear. I'd be happy to bring this kid in as a 7th or a UDFA see what he's got and see if he makes the team. I could also see him not getting drafted and using his degree. It's a need position. I was looking for either EDGE or DL, and he was the best available. ESPN has him over valued based on his combine.

Pick 250: Diego Pavia QB Vanderbilt. 5'10 207. This kid can play. I think he's more of a Doug Flutie (Not what the NFL saw in Flutie, the real Flutie, the great Flutie) than a Kyler Murray. I think he's devalued by playing at Vandy as opposed to UT or South Carolina or really ANY other SEC school. I think year 1 he would be practice squad, and year 2 he could be the back up. I don't think he would be a 3-4 year project if a team wanted to draft and start him, which we don't need.

Thoughts, prayers, concerns send 'em in

 

[Heyjoe4]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to drop one of these. Will probably do my final mock late Wednesday night or very early Thursday morning. I did this on ESPN Analysts mock draft simulator, and I found that I like this simulator. They graded it to a C or 76/100. I went with what I saw were needs, not what they saw were needs.

Pick 52: Germie Bernard WR Alabama. 6'1 206. I saw him play a couple games last year. He was talked up as a speedster, which I didn't see as I watched. He ran a 4.48 at the Combine. What I saw was a bigger version of Matthew Golden. I know we have needs in other areas, but we don't and haven't had a 1 for a while, and if we're gonna do "#1 by committee" I'd rather have him paired with Golden than Watson who is very injury prone.

Pick 84: Sam Hecht C Kansas. 6'4 303. About the size Corey Linsley was when we drafted him. Admittedly didn't see this kid play, I liked the measurables over Slaughter from Florida. Also Connor Lew was not on the board when this pick was made. I probably still would've taken Hecht as I saw how the Auburn O-Line improved after Lew's injury.

Pick 120: Daylen Everette CB Georgia. 6'1 196. That Georgia defense has been stellar though a small step back last year. This for me is a well coached value pick at a huge need position. As mentioned in my other mock we can't do another KeSean Nixon game. It will collectively wipe out the fanbase like some sort of plague.

Pick 153: Kaleb Elarms-Orr LB TCU. Bigger linebacker then we usually draft at 6'2 234. Transferred from Cal to TCU. Watched film from both. At Cal he had great instincts, tackling was A-. The problem was he was having trouble getting out of traffic to make plays. At TCU they had him play outside and inside. Outside he was great at getting around the corner, pursuit was stellar. Inside he got better getting out of traffic. Tackling downgraded to a B+. I would've loved to have had him under Hafley. I think he needs to re-up tackling and continue working on traffic issues. Solid pick though for this team in the 5th round.

Pick 160: Jeremiah Wright G Auburn. 6'5 331. Tackle sized, but plays inside. I think he COULD be an Elgton Jenkins guy that if Tom goes down he could move outside for a couple games and hold his own, but NOT a long term fit at Tackle. I'm not sure he could play the blind side either. I think he could play all 3 interior line spots long term as well. Road grader as I watched him play for Auburn last year.

Pick 201: Fernando Carmona OL Arkansas. 6'4 315. I'm calling him an OL cause he played Tackle last year but I think he's an interior O-Lineman, probably a Center. He was coached by Sam Pittman which as a HC Sam wasn't great but his background is as an O-Line coach and a very good one. This kid was able to move people and get out onto people when needed. Right now we need interior line guys, and of the 3 I drafted I liked Carmona the best. IMO ESPN has him severely undervalued based on his combine.

Pick 236: Mason Reiger EDGE Wisconsin. 6'4 251. I saw Reiger play against Wisconsin. When you play for a school that gave the NFL Leo Chenal TJ Watt and guys like that at YOUR position you can't disappear. I'd be happy to bring this kid in as a 7th or a UDFA see what he's got and see if he makes the team. I could also see him not getting drafted and using his degree. It's a need position. I was looking for either EDGE or DL, and he was the best available. ESPN has him over valued based on his combine.

Pick 250: Diego Pavia QB Vanderbilt. 5'10 207. This kid can play. I think he's more of a Doug Flutie (Not what the NFL saw in Flutie, the real Flutie, the great Flutie) than a Kyler Murray. I think he's devalued by playing at Vandy as opposed to UT or South Carolina or really ANY other SEC school. I think year 1 he would be practice squad, and year 2 he could be the back up. I don't think he would be a 3-4 year project if a team wanted to draft and start him, which we don't need.

Thoughts, prayers, concerns send 'em in

Great job Ric!

Interesting to take a WR first. It could happen. They likely won’t have a top 5 D. They'll win with offense.

I like your description of the Alabama guy. That would be ok w me if he can play a decent number of snaps.

Thanks for your work!

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

For Reiger it should say I saw him play FOR not against Wisconsin. 80 WPM typist 3 WPM brain sometimes.

 

[OldSchool101]

For Reiger it should say I saw him play FOR not against Wisconsin. 80 WPM typist 3 WPM brain sometimes.

Mostly good I’m on board through pick #120. I’m going to be honest I think 3 OL is excessive in your 2026 Mock. I like the Center pick and I’d really like to move Sean back to RG. I’m also a proponent of OL more than most in most drafts, just not in 2026 here’s why.
1. We need a RB and It’s entirely possible to get someone like Kaytron Allen or Kaelon Black or someone in the RD4-6 area. So unless we have a behind the scenes arrangement at RB post draft? We’re not negating RB imo. 3 OL negates a RB.

2. In 2025 OL partly suffered because we had so many players miss time, playing injured or on IR. yet in 2026 we inject a group of drafted OL back into the mix in 2026 (assuming there’s normal recovery timetables). It’s highly unlikely to cut 3 or 4 guys who were drafted to get 3 new draftees. So max out OL with 2 selections? I think you’re good to go.

I can’t really nitpick at your positional fits because I don’t have a clue what Brian is thinking in FA. Personally think we could see at least 1 more middle FA signing at a position we missed in this draft (calling $3-9Mil annual veteran). At DT or RB or Edge

I do like you picked back up into LB and QB move later. I think there’s above 50/50 we go after both.

 

[tynimiller]

Pick 201: Fernando Carmona OL Arkansas. 6'4 315. I'm calling him an OL cause he played Tackle last year but I think he's an interior O-Lineman, probably a Center. He was coached by Sam Pittman which as a HC Sam wasn't great but his background is as an O-Line coach and a very good one. This kid was able to move people and get out onto people when needed. Right now we need interior line guys, and of the 3 I drafted I liked Carmona the best. IMO ESPN has him severely undervalued based on his combine.

Carmona didn't play a single snap at tackle this past year.

He played three years at LT for the Razorbacks but in 2025 he moved to LG and every snap saw him there.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Carmona didn't play a single snap at tackle this past year.

He played three years at LT for the Razorbacks but in 2025 he moved to LG and every snap saw him there.

He is listed by ESPN at Tackle. I also thought I saw him play at least one game at Tackle last year. As mentioned I see him as IOL.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Mostly good I’m on board through pick #120. I’m going to be honest I think 3 OL is excessive in your 2026 Mock. I like the Center pick and I’d really like to move Sean back to RG. I’m also a proponent of OL more than most in most drafts, just not in 2026 here’s why.
1. We need a RB and It’s entirely possible to get someone like Kaytron Allen or Kaelon Black or someone in the RD4-6 area. So unless we have a behind the scenes arrangement at RB post draft? We’re not negating RB imo. 3 OL negates a RB.

2. In 2025 OL partly suffered because we had so many players miss time, playing injured or on IR. yet in 2026 we inject a group of drafted OL back into the mix in 2026 (assuming there’s normal recovery timetables). It’s highly unlikely to cut 3 or 4 guys who were drafted to get 3 new draftees. So max out OL with 2 selections? I think you’re good to go.

I can’t really nitpick at your positional fits because I don’t have a clue what Brian is thinking in FA. Personally think we could see at least 1 more middle FA signing at a position we missed in this draft (calling $3-9Mil annual veteran). At DT or RB or Edge

I do like you picked back up into LB and QB move later. I think there’s above 50/50 we go after both.

On #2...I saw Sean Rhyan as the lynch pin of the problem with the O-Line last year, and why I want him off the team. IF we only go with 2 I'd like it to be Hecht and Carmona.

 

[OldSchool101]

On #2...I saw Sean Rhyan as the lynch pin of the problem with the O-Line last year, and why I want him off the team. IF we only go with 2 I'd like it to be Hecht and Carmona.

I think Sean is Solid at RG, I realize it’s not his fault Elgton went down. This Offense would be immediately better with a natural Center and Sean to RG. He looked like a Fish out of water defenders ran by him before he lifted his head. That’s just a sign of a Novice on the job. There were also some notable communication issues with Jordan. Center is too important to be having tryouts or on the job training. There’s about 1/2 dozen Centers from College in this Draft who could match or could beat Sean out, then eventually pass him up. 1 or 2 Centers I recall are bouncing back from injury and may not be ready Week 1. Let’s call it at least 4-5 draftable guys and I bet 2 or 3 will cross our selections through Rounds
3-5 area.
I’m going by RD5 (not necessarily in order)
Edge, CB, DT, OC, RB unless the ideal WR is there I’d pass.

Reliable and recent Rumblings of GB shopping another FA move.
GB does have ability to sign another moderate $ FA veteran without least bit of concern. Deandre Hopkins would be a good stopgap for a year or two. I read one reporter picked his brain and sounds like he’s thinking $5Mil area. Might be less idk.

 

[tynimiller]

He is listed by ESPN at Tackle. I also thought I saw him play at least one game at Tackle last year. As mentioned I see him as IOL.

Nope, snap counts are zero at Tackle. He is a Packer type from an athletic profile and ability to play multiple locations

 

[tynimiller]

Also ESPN is notorious for not having right stuff listed

 

[OldSchool101]

Also ESPN is notorious for not having right stuff listed

Yes. I looked and PFF shows Carmona exclusively as a LG (790 snaps) last year. They tend to be a good second source to check snaps at each position or a cross reference. They really liked him better as a Run blocker where he graded in the 90% tile of the 660+ Guards

 

[Heyjoe4]

I think Sean is Solid at RG, I realize it’s not his fault Elgton went down. This Offense would be immediately better with a natural Center and Sean to RG. He looked like a Fish out of water defenders ran by him before he lifted his head. That’s just a sign of a Novice on the job. There were also some notable communication issues with Jordan. Center is too important to be having tryouts or on the job training. There’s about 1/2 dozen Centers from College in this Draft who could match or could beat Sean out, then eventually pass him up. 1 or 2 Centers I recall are bouncing back from injury and may not be ready Week 1. Let’s call it at least 4-5 draftable guys and I bet 2 or 3 will cross our selections through Rounds
3-5 area.
I’m going by RD5 (not necessarily in order)
Edge, CB, DT, OC, RB unless the ideal WR is there I’d pass.

Reliable and recent Rumblings of GB shopping another FA move.
GB does have ability to sign another moderate $ FA veteran without least bit of concern. Deandre Hopkins would be a good stopgap for a year or two. I read one reporter picked his brain and sounds like he’s thinking $5Mil area. Might be less idk.

A little late now with Rhyan extended. They must see a future for him at C.

And this is not the season to disrupt the starters. It seemed like they trotted out a lot of OL groups last year.

And while Rhyan is adjusting to C, that’s still far better than wasting an OL pick at C.

Gluten will take someone for the OL. Most likely a G or T, either side.

 

[OldSchool101]

A little late now with Rhyan extended. They must see a future for him at C.

And this is not the season to disrupt the starters. It seemed like they trotted out a lot of OL groups last year.

And while Rhyan is adjusting to C, that’s still far better than wasting an OL pick at C.

Gluten will take someone for the OL. Most likely a G or T, either side.

Probably right but it still feels good to complain

I’m thinking more in a light that we need a better backup behind Sean. Unless there’s something missing it just seems like Monk is almost an afterthought. We could use a true C to beat him out as our primary backup. Often those guys can play some Guard too in case of injury. Like Monk did. He had 5 years of playing time at Penn and still can’t seem to find his niche.

once again. We still have multiple returning draft picks and guys on contract so it’s not a vital position at all. Yet keeping a steady flow of formidable depth = we probably take 1 OL to pipeline that group.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Probably right but it still feels good to complain

I’m thinking more in a light that we need a better backup behind Sean. Unless there’s something missing it just seems like Monk is almost an afterthought. We could use a true C to beat him out as our primary backup. Often those guys can play some Guard too in case of injury. Like Monk did. He had 5 years of playing time at Penn and still can’t seem to find his niche.

once again. We still have multiple returning draft picks and guys on contract so it’s not a vital position at all. Yet keeping a steady flow of formidable depth = we probably take 1 OL to pipeline that group.

Absolutely agree that Gluten will take an OL somewhere. And if past is precedent, it will be a guy who can play multiple OL positions. (Im not convinced that is a good idea. Sometimes these guys are ok at the multiple positions they play. That's fine to have guys like that for depth, but I'd prefer to see a college T playing NFL T.

Rhyan is signed now and the presumptive starter at C. That can change, but if it does, the sooner the better. Love needs to have a C who is reliable and with whom he has a connection. Favre had Winters, Rodgers had Linsley and maybe one other. Anyway, there should be consistency with the QB/C combo.

 

[OldSchool101]

Absolutely agree that Gluten will take an OL somewhere. And if past is precedent, it will be a guy who can play multiple OL positions. (Im not convinced that is a good idea. Sometimes these guys are ok at the multiple positions they play. That's fine to have guys like that for depth, but I'd prefer to see a college T playing NFL T.

Rhyan is signed now and the presumptive starter at C. That can change, but if it does, the sooner the better. Love needs to have a C who is reliable and with whom he has a connection. Favre had Winters, Rodgers had Linsley and maybe one other. Anyway, there should be consistency with the QB/C combo.

Mike Spofford mentioned in a Gutenkunst interview he had mentioned but was actually pleased with what they saw from Monk late last year against MN starters. I looked it up and sure enough, Monk was the highest graded Offensive player that week. I don’t know how I missed that. While it’s a small sample, it’s enough of an encouraging sign that they feel he’s an immediate answer at Center.

I’ll knock any ideas of Center thoughts down the list. I think he’s finally turning a corner.

 

[OldSchool101]

Packers Trade #52,#84, 2027 RD4
For
Seattle #32, 2027 RD6

Packers get a call from Miami seeing their guy fall to our 32nd.
They offer a
Miami #41, #94, #151
For
Green Bay’s #32 , #201


#41 DT, Christian Miller

#94 WR, Bryce Lance

#120 CB, Malik Muhammad

#151 RB, Katron Allen

#153 Edge, Anthony Lucas

#160 TE, Joe Royer

#236 CB, Domani Jackson

#255 LB, Lander Barton

 

[Heyjoe4]

Mike Spofford mentioned in a Gutenkunst interview he had mentioned but was actually pleased with what they saw from Monk late last year against MN starters. I looked it up and sure enough, Monk was the highest graded Offensive player that week. I don’t know how I missed that. While it’s a small sample, it’s enough of an encouraging sign that they feel he’s an immediate answer at Center.

I’ll knock any ideas of Center thoughts down the list. I think he’s finally turning a corner.

Seems like Rhyan has the C gig and it's his to lose. We know he can play G. Monk must be held in high regarded to be kept as a backup.

Monk was primarily considered a C, I think. If he can play C and G well as a backup, so much the better.

 

[OldSchool101]

Seems like Rhyan has the C gig and it's his to lose. We know he can play G. Monk must be held in high regarded to be kept as a backup.

Monk was primarily considered a C, I think. If he can play C and G well as a backup, so much the better.

Yep. Monk actually played quite a bit of Guard at Duke. I think it was his Freshman year at RT that didn’t go so well (gave up lots of sacks n pressures). He does have shorter length and Tackle rarely works out for his profile (shown below)

Duke reduced Monk inside to Guard and each year he improved some. So he ended up playing Center in his 5th season, but he’s got a ton of college experience in general, mostly at G and then C next.

Monks profile is most closely associated with our own former C, Corey Linsley. Not suggesting he’s him but he’s a great comp

Corey Linsley (9.19 RAS)
(26th/309 testing 84.1% tile)
2014 draft #161 overall
Hands 9.875”
Height 6’2.5”
Weight 296lb
Arms 32.0”
Bench 36 Reps
vertical 27”
Broad 8’11”
3-cone 7.46 sec
40 yard 5.03 sec
20 yard 2.82 sec
10 yard 1.78 sec

Jacob Monk (9.71 RAS)
(17th/619 testing 97.25% tile)
2024 draft #163 overall
Hands 10.0”
Height 6’3.0”
Weight 308lb.
Arms 32.4”
Bench 31 Reps
vertical 29.5”
Broad 9.0’
3-cone (didn’t test)
40 yard 5.09 sec
20 yard 2.93sec
10 yard 1.74 sec

I had forgotten just how athletic Monk tested. His RAS score ranks Elite.
His “get off” with a 29” vertical and 1.74 10-yard at nearly 310lb should really help his short game.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Isn't Monk allergic to cold weather? So we're gonna play him indoors only? I'm not arguing, pointing out what seems like a HUGE problem in Green Bay.

 

[gopkrs]

That wouldn't bode well for 2nd contracts or future depth

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Packers Trade #52,#84, 2027 RD4
For
Seattle #32, 2027 RD6

Packers get a call from Miami seeing their guy fall to our 32nd.
They offer a
Miami #41, #94, #151
For
Green Bay’s #32 , #201


#41 DT, Christian Miller

#94 WR, Bryce Lance

#120 CB, Malik Muhammad

#151 RB, Katron Allen

#153 Edge, Anthony Lucas

#160 TE, Joe Royer

#236 CB, Domani Jackson

#255 LB, Lander Barton

I like (Let's be honest you all know I LOVE it) the LB pick at 255. I don't like the specific guy. If you're doing that there, reach for Rolder or Sorrey there's more upside, and they have been undervalued throughout the process.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I like (Let's be honest you all know I LOVE it) the LB pick at 255. I don't like the specific guy. If you're doing that there, reach for Rolder or Sorrey there's more upside, and they have been undervalued throughout the process.

Hey Ric did Barton get drafted, or did he slip to UDFA?

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Hey Ric did Barton get drafted, or did he slip to UDFA?

UDFA Chargers